Centrifugal device



w. .c. ROBINETTE 2,712,930

CENTRIFUGAL DEVICE July 12, 1955 Original Filed Jan. 29, 1949 m: waaazwf IENTRIFUGAL DEVICE Willard C. Robinerte, South Pasadena, Calif.

Continuation of appiication Serial No. 73,617, January 29, 1949. This application July 38, 1953, Serial No. 371,262

3 tfiaims. (Cl. 264*18) My invention relates to centrifugal devices and more particularly to a novel governor structure.

it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and accurate centrifugal device suitable for use in a governor structure.

Briefly my invention may include a rotatable member my application Serial No. 723,178, filed January 20, 1947,

now Patent No. 2,575,362.

The present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the appended drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an improved governor.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a ball retainer used in the device of Figure 1.

A precise governor is shown in Figures 1 and 2 In this case, the ordinary ball retainer of a ball bearing is removed, and a slotted cylindrical retainer 31a is formed, as shown in Figure 2, with slots 70:: for the reception of the balls 32 and with the portions 71a between the slots extended forwardly. The outer ends 72a of the retainer 31:: are press fitted between a bearing 40a rotating on stub end 41 of shaft 24 and the governor plate 40b to which the governor spring 42 is attached by screws 73. The end 41 of shaft 24 is drilled with a spring hole 74 and a spring 75 is inserted therein forcing a hole pin 76 outwardly against a snap cap 77 attached to the governor plate 405. Thus the retainer is constantly forced outwardly to accurately position governor contact 44 in space, and this action also prevents any possibility of end play in the hearing or any longitudinal flutter of the governor plate during rotation.

As there are many types of servo installations where the governor speed is constantly changing, with constant change in flexure of the governor spring 42, it is desirable to take precautions against failure of the governor spring from fatigue.

Such failures can be prevented by making the governor Weights 80 sections of hollow tubing of relative large diameter, in this case about A; the average diameter of the governor spring loop. The weights 80 are mounted on separate spring leaves 81 emerging from the governor plate 4% inside of and in contact with the fixed ends of the governor spring 42. When the governor is at rest, the hollow weights are pressed lightly against the inside of the governor spring. To avoid breakage of the governor rates Patent 2,712,930 Patented July 12, 1955 spring at the line of emergence from the governor plate 40b, this plate outside of the line of emergence, is provided with a radius R which is substantially equal to or larger than the radius of the hollow Weights 80.

In addition, the use of separate spring leaves to support the hollow weights 80 provides stability to the governor and insures a long linear throw for the contact 44.

It will be readily seen that the resultant of two rotations can be proportioned with respect to the rotations as desired and that addition and subtraction can equally Well be performed. It can also be seen that any two of the three main elements, inner race, outer race, and the balls (retainer) can be driven, and the output taken from the remaining element, as a matter of choice.

However, as stated above, in the present application, I prefer to drive the inner and outer races 30 and 34 and to obtain the resultant from the rotation of the ball retainer 31.

From the above description, it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible or" modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a centrifugal device the combination comprising a rotatable member, a flat spring loop extending outwardly from and rotatable by said member and symmetrically intersecting the axis of rotation thereof, and a pair of weights mounted on spring leaves extending from and rotatable by said member, said spring leaves being inside of said loop to position said weights inside of and in contact with opposite inside surfaces of said loop.

2. The structure defined in claim 1, in which the weights are cylindrical with the curved surfaces thereof in contact with said loop.

3. The structure defined in claim 1, in which the weights are cylindrical with the curved surfaces thereof in contact with the loop, the diameter of said weights being on the order of oneourth of the average diameter of said loop.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

